NEWS
Horowitz event sparking protests
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by Pedro Oliveira Jr.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Drawing concern from liberal and minority-based campus groups, conservative author David Horowitz kicks off a weeklong event at the University of Wisconsin today opposing Muslim extremism.
Horowitz, founder of Students for Academic Freedom, provoked controversy at UW in February 2001 for ,taking out in advertisement in The Badger Herald arguing against reparations for slavery. He is also the author of several books, including “The Race Card: White Guilt, Black Resentment, and the Assault on Truth and Justice,” and “Unholy Alliance: Radical Islam And The American Left.”
The author’s visit is part of “Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week” and has raised concerns over prejudicem against the Muslim community. The event has been criticized by the Muslim Students’ Association, Black Student Union, MultiCultural Student Coalition, International Socialist Organization, Campus Antiwar Network and College Democrats, according to College Democrats Chair Oliver Kiefer.”Horowitz will talk about how the radical faction of Islam is a danger to the United States and to the world,” UW College Republicans Chair Sara Mikolajczak said.
The lecture comes on the heels of a campus anti-war conference attracting nearly 100 students from CAN chapters across the nation this weekend. During the conference, students had a chance to hear Iraq Veterans Against the War founder Camilo Mejia speak about his experiences in Iraq.
CAN representatives said they will join the other groups in protesting Horowitz’s visit today with posters outside the Memorial Union Theater.
Muslim Student Association Vice President Sarrah AbuLughod said her group will hold an event Tuesday to present a different perspective of the Muslim community.
“[Horowitz is] trying to put Muslims into a category, and that’s not true,” AbuLughod said. “I hope that all students come to both events and are able to educate themselves and make up their minds [about Muslims].”
The MSA, though, is not participating in any specific protest of the event.
Mikolajczak said the UW Police Department has been notified of a possible disruption during the lecture and will be present during the event.
“They’ve got every right to be there, as long as they’re not disruptive while he’s speaking,” Mikolajczak said. “I actually hope they do show up.”
Chancellor John Wiley, who was contacted by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee last week, wrote a letter Friday to explain the university’s view on what he called an “inflammatory campaign.”
In the letter, Wiley wrote UW does not endorse Horowitz’s ideas “but is providing an environment where the widest variety of views can be aired.
“We also have a strong commitment to academic freedom and First Amendment rights, and a belief that, in an open marketplace of ideas, the strongest ideas will be embraced and fraudulent ideas will be exposed,” Wiley wrote in the letter.
Horowitz’s lecture will take place today at 7:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Theater, and is open to all UW students, faculty and staff.
Anonymous (October 22, 2007 @ 5:05am):
wow sounds like the leftist on campus only support free speech when it is they doing the speaking. Funny haven't heard Horowitz speak yet, but all these leftist groups already somehow KNOW what he is going to say. Amazing the telepathic, clairvoyant powers of the left oh if we could all be as superior morally and intellectually as they.
Anonymous (October 22, 2007 @ 11:09am):
Couple things:
1) You don't have to be clairvoyant to roughly know what Horowitz's lecture is going to cover, and what position he is going to take. He's written many books and given extensive lecture series' outlining his positions, and say otherwise is intellectually facile.
2) Protesting the speech of someone else is not an attack on free speech, it's a free exchange of ideas. I haven't heard of any of these organizations calling for the University to cancel the lecture (compare to Halliburton or recruitment protestors who DO want them off the campus), they merely dispute what he has to say.
3) Wait till you actually have something to pick a bone with (like the people who will undoubtedly hijack the mic during Q&A's and not shut up until they're tased and carried away :-)
Anonymous (October 22, 2007 @ 3:39pm):
5:05 am - Check out his website, pick up one of his books or read stories about his first visit to the UW... should we expect his to say something otherwise?
Ammar Ali (October 22, 2007 @ 3:42pm):
How can people running the "Islmaofacist" week say they are truly representing Islam when the Muslims on campus have shown how we do not support them in any way. This includes the Muslims in the MSA, not affiliated with the MSA, and even Muslims who are part of College Republicans (the group responsible for bringing Horowitz).
For Mr. Horowitz speech we ask that people refrain from protesting inside and disrupting his speech. We ask that people come wearing green to show support for your campus Muslims and Arab students who will be the target for Mr. Horowitz's speech.
If you want to learn the truth about Islam come to the MSA events
Tuesday 10/23 - Memorial Union TITU - 7pm - The Contemporary Muslim, a panel discussion featuring Professor of Sociology and Indian Studies - Dr. Joseph Elder
Professor of History and Religious Studies and Lubar Institute Director - Dr. Chuck Cohen
PhD candidate in Islamic Studies and Senior Fellow for the Lubar Institute - Uwaymir Anjum
Vice President of the National College Democrats - Awais Khaleel,
In Your Hands Organization Chair - Maha Hilal
PhD candidate in African Languages and Cultures - Reem Hilal
Wednesday 10/24 - Location Smith Hall - 7 pm- Hope not Hate Series Video screening
And if that doesn't work you can always visit your local Mosque.
There is a reason why Islam is the fastest growing religion in America. Come find out for yourself. (And no its not by the sword...aka another stereotype)
Sincerely,
Ammar Ali
Muslim Students Association
Events Chair
www.uw-msa.org
PS. Mr. Horowitz and members of College Republicans are encouraged to come.
Anonymous (October 22, 2007 @ 7:57pm):
I know that I am missing the lecture, but from the article, I can tell that Horowitz is not saying that Muslims are a problem to America and the world, he is speaking against a certain fraction, Islamofascism. Watch the wars going on in the middle East and try to say that Islamofascism is not threatening.
Anonymous (October 22, 2007 @ 9:35pm):
Will the MSA be showing any of the Muslim Mouse cartoons?
You know, the ones with a Mickey Mouse lookalike preaching hatred of the U.S, for Spain to be returned to Muslim rule as after the 8th century Moorish invasion and Islamic domination of the entire world?
Anonymous (October 22, 2007 @ 10:34pm):
12:59, are you aware that we have suspended the writ of habeas corpus in this country? Do you know what that means?
Anonymous (October 22, 2007 @ 10:36pm):
Muslims are wonderful but don't try to date one of their women - that's a stabbing.
Anonymous (October 24, 2007 @ 10:21am):
Jeez - I hope you folks ain't paying your own tuition because you are wasting your money if you are. Habeas Corpus, from English common law, was adopted in the US intended for those citizens of the US held by the Executive Branch of the Federal government. State govts had their own HC 'writs'for their courts. HC basically says you cannot hold someone indefinitely without submitting some proof to a court. The HC has been extended to cover citizens of other countries that are within the US but remains primarily a instrument of civil law, not criminal law although other criminal statutes have duplicated it. Art 9 of the US Constitution states that HC can be rescinded during times of rebellion & invasion. On 29 SEP 2006 Congress approved suspension of HC for ALIEN NON CITIZENS designated as UNLAWFUL ENEMY COMBATANTS, aka terrorists. Technically non-citizens have no rights under our Constitution. As recently as 11 JUN 2007 court ruled in favor of an HC writ that alledged terroist AKS al Marri, as a US citizen, must be granted a prelim hearing before a judge at which time evidence against him would be presented & charges would be read. You liberal commie progressives not only are wrong, but you are stupid to boot. In fact, all you so-called 'students' make me want to puke. Do your homework, read a book, how about trying to read the US Constitution, shut up & study, try engaging actual critical thought not just criticizing - next you dopes will start believing in global warming.
Scott wyma (October 26, 2007 @ 5:57am):
Mr Horowitz is a very credible speaker. Those of professed failings offer the wisdom of having lived bothsides. Mr Horowitz knows left better that the left knows its self.
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